Port Jervis fights teen smoking

Deerpark — Andrew Marotta's message is clear: Port Jervis High School is smoke-free.

For the past year, Marotta, an assistant principal at the high school, has spread the nonsmoking message by posting signs throughout the campus and warning students of the dangers of smoking.

Ashley Kelly

Deerpark — Andrew Marotta's message is clear: Port Jervis High School is smoke-free.

For the past year, Marotta, an assistant principal at the high school, has spread the nonsmoking message by posting signs throughout the campus and warning students of the dangers of smoking.

But this summer, he took it a step further by persuading three local businesses to sign an agreement to reduce or eliminate cigarette ads in their stores.

Marotta hopes the decrease in signs will deter students from buying cigarettes.

When Marotta began working at the high school three years ago, he noticed the smell of smoke coming from the bathrooms.

What is this, kids smoking here? Marotta thought. "I had to do something."

Marotta reached out to the anti-smoking coalition POW'R (Putnam, Orange, Westchester, Rockland) Against Tobacco. With grant money from the coalition, Marotta has been able to buy smoke-free signs, smoke detectors and a huge smoke-free banner that is on display at the entrance of the school.

When Marotta asked store owners Bill and Vicky Harris to participate in the school's no-smoking effort, it was a no-brainer. The couple owns Traditions Olde Country Store & Deli on Route 42.

The Harrises said they don't sell cigarettes by the carton or offer discounts for cigarettes.

"We don't need to advertise that we have cigarettes," said Bill Harris, who quit smoking more than a year ago. "People know we have them."

Try-R-Deli on Route 209 in Deerpark and the Daily Stop on Jersey Avenue in Port Jervis also have signed the agreement to limit cigarette ads.

Students from the school's Tobacco Free School group will continue to ask local businesses to sign the agreement this year.

Punishment for smoking at the high school is a one-day suspension for the first offense and two days' suspension for a second offense.

Meghan DuBois, the Orange County coalition coordinator for POW'R Against Tobacco, said many teens don't realize that tobacco companies are using them to make a profit.

"What he's doing is off the charts," said DuBois, referring to Marotta's work. "He's appealing to potential replacement smokers whom the companies are trying to attract."

DuBois said replacement smokers are new smokers who take the place of people who have died from smoking-related illness or people who quit.

"I want students to be proud to not do it — not that you're a nerd because you don't smoke," Marotta said.

Any businesses in the Port Jervis area that would like to get involved should call Andrew Marotta at 858-3110.